View Full Version : 1960 Olds, please educate me
38Chevy454
10-17-2003, 11:05 AM
Hey all, I think I have used up my yearly quota of postings this week! I will try to keep this simple.
In my quest for another engine for my modified, I have run across a 1960 Olds 88 4 door hardtop car that is pretty cheap. It has the 394 engine, good body (no rust CA car), not wrecked, and poor condition interior although it is all there, just ripped up seats, etc. It needs brake work, but the guy says it runs good. Asking $1000, probably get it cheaper.
Here is what I was thinking to do. Take the engine and trans out for my modified, then part out the car to recover some of my expenses. End result is a cool low cost engine and trans for my modified.
I know the 394 is a good engine, but what trans does this have? Is it the jetaway or a hydramatic? Is the jetaway something to avoid? Sort of the Olds version of the crappy dynaslow used in Buicks? Is there anything unusual or especially strange about the trans that would make it hard to use in my modified?
Besides the front and rear glass, what other parts have some good value for parting out? Bumpers? Body parts? Suspension/Brakes? Thanks for any words of wisdom and short course education on this 1960 Olds. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
tinyelvis
10-17-2003, 11:21 AM
I would say JET-A-WAY which is cool, because it was the Hydramatic essentially before they called it a hydramatic. Good stuff man, 394 is sweet. Find yourself a tri-power for that thing!
TinyE
buzzard
10-17-2003, 11:42 AM
Make sure it is a Super 88. The Dynamic 88 had the 371. Either are good engines. They are pretty heavy, though.
I could use the windshield if and when we could work that out.
Blownolds
10-17-2003, 12:21 PM
The Jetaways are not hot rod tranny's.
38Chevy454
10-17-2003, 12:40 PM
Thanks for the info so far. I will have to check if it is the Dynamic or Super model. Is the 371 just a smaller bore 394? Is a 371 to be avoided or is it OK?
Is the trans in this car a good one or bad one? Seems to be conflicting info so far, one says good, another says bad. What exactly is the trans in a 60 Olds, and should/could it be used in my modified? My modified is not being built as a racer, just a fun cruiser. I would rather have a more modern trans, but maybe the 60 Olds trans is OK??? I need to learn more about it.
Like I said, just looking at this deal as a parts car type deal, the engine and trans would end up in my modified. I'll keep you in mind for the windshield Buzzard if things progress that far.
they have a bullet proof rearend in 'em too
kinda wide but can be narrowed if needed.
I'm thinking the Jetaway had mechanical kick down linkage so if you go with an intake that is not stock that would have to be fabbed.
and of course any good hot rodder can adapt any motor to any transmission http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Paul
BigJim394
10-17-2003, 01:27 PM
The jetaway should be OK in a light car. You may have to find/buy one of the starter changover cast aluminum kind of bottom bellhousing like pieces. This moves the starter to the passenger side and gives you room for the steering box that otherwise may have major interference probs with the starter. You might have to use a remote oil filter as the stock filter location may have interference probs with the frame rail.
if you use the starter switchover (Wilcap or whoever) you diffinately need a remote filter.
Both of which you can see in this well worn pic of my 394
http://photo.starblvd.net/~60s_style/3-2-2.jpg
Paul
Tell ya what. Pull the motor and trans and let me have the rest, I'm sure that my Byooik wouldn't mind having a cousin hanging around... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Dunno what the deal is about some HAMB people not liking the 4dr flattops. Average joe blow out there digs em. At least here in MO they do.
38Chevy454
10-17-2003, 07:37 PM
I should have plenty of clearance for starters and oil filters, my frame is wide open and the steering box is up on top of the frame rail. May be a little tight with the box, but I think it would clear just about any engine configuration.
Sounds like the consensus is the jetaway is OK as long as no serious performance is intended.
Fraz, I am not against the 4-door, I just have no need for one, except in this case as a parts donor. If I was a real scenester I would put mexi blankets on the seats, paint it flat black, heat the coils until it sat on the bumpstops, pop a big hole in the muffler so it has that "hot rod sound", put www's on the red painted wheels, put some punk rock stickers on it, get a drunk friend to put crooked pinstripes on it, add flamethrowers, get my arm sleeve tattooed, buy jeans 6 inches too long in the inseam so I can cuff 'em real high, quit my job so I can take my car out to the clubs for late night partying and finally divorce my wife so I can pick up on the orcabilly's with my perfect car and image! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Just in case some of you get your panties in a wad, the above paragraph is for entertainment purposes only.
old beet
10-17-2003, 09:08 PM
Save the steering wheel!!!!!!.....OLDBEET
Blownolds
10-17-2003, 10:58 PM
60sStyle, that pic belongs in the Olds Rocket pics thread! I'll do it...
Is that CGkid's motor now?
The Jetaway will be fine for a cruiser that won't be raced around, and will save you lots of trouble trying to get another tranny setup (also necessitating the engine to be pulled apart and rebalanced with a different flywheel)...
yeah Blownolds,
haven't heard from Eric for a while,
Coast Gaurd must be keepin him busy.
Paul
Rocky
10-18-2003, 12:10 AM
Even with the ee-vill Jetaway tranny, a lakes-modified with either a 371 or a 394 should be able to fry the gum-dippers until there ain't no more gum left on 'em...
I just wonder if the tranny still works. If not, they're expensive to fix. Hell, in 1965, I busted the jetaway in my 56 olds ragtop 98 and NOBODY around the entire central Oregon area would even work on it. The car was only 9 years old and the tranny-shop guys had already decided those trannys were too damn difficult to make any money on.
Drive the car first and use the park brake if ya have to. I'd be suspicious of the "weakest link"....the transmission.
BigJim394
10-18-2003, 01:04 AM
The jetaway isn't that a great a trans, but I knew more than a few people who had 60 to 62 Olds daily drivers in the 70's who had a trunk full of tools, drove the big old boats pretty hard, did little maintenance on the transmissions and still put well over 125,000 miles on them.
Hell, even here in the Northeast rustbelt I still see some oldtimers driving early 60's Olds that are not restored..they have been their transportation since the 60's and are still going strong (with some body cancer).
If the trans is OK, you might want to ask around at the local junkyards to have them call you if any early 60's Olds come in, as there have been a few junked around here (due to rust or frame rot out) and the engines and trans were still good (a couple of the engines had been rebuilt within he last few years). They went for short money.
56olds-ERDY
10-18-2003, 01:53 AM
the jetaway sucks!
its a grandma trans.they put a second coupling.or whatever its called behind the first one soo it will shift like you ate peanut butter all week,and you shit slow,and smooth.a hydro shifts like you ate mexican food all week. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
seriously if all you do is drive it its fine,but even that sucks after awhile.
eric
ShortBus
10-18-2003, 02:45 AM
I'll take the hood if it's solid and straight, maybe even the fenders.
Someone needs to put that rear bumper to good use.
http://home.socal.rr.com/rickamado/60olds02.jpg
Super88
371 is just a smaller bore. Easy way: If the taillights have chrome across the middle of the lens it's a Super88 or 98, No chrome = Dynamic88 = 371. The 98 is 3 inches longer through the rear floorboards.
I have the factory manual if you need any info.
oh, and the Jet-A-Way sucks.
Or maybe you should just drive it.
Blownolds
10-18-2003, 04:12 AM
To clarify what a 371 is:
A '57-8 371 is, well, a 371.
A '59-60 371 has the same bore and stroke as '57-8, but is really just a small bore 394.
speedaddict
10-18-2003, 01:34 PM
Rick, I love your olds man.
speedaddict
10-18-2003, 01:59 PM
Hey 38, if you do decide to get the olds and part it out, let me know! I need moulding clips!!!
speedy
ShortBus
10-19-2003, 07:04 PM
Speedy, which clips do you need? can you send me a pic of one? I still have all the stuff I stripped from mine.
You have a 98 with tri-power sittin in your driveway and you're digging MINE? freak
wingnutz
10-20-2003, 11:55 AM
OK..., OK..., I'm hearing "Good this", "bad that"..., But Please tell me what year has the best of all worlds as far as looking for the perfect "Donor car"? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif (in a go fast rdstr)
What motor..., trans..., and what year! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
(I was going for the Buick 401, but after discovering many problems I decided to go "OLDS".)
56olds-ERDY
10-20-2003, 03:42 PM
i dont think there really is a perfect pre 65 rocket motor.
the old ones have the good trannys,and the newer ones have the larger cubic innch mototrs.you have to go through some effort to get the early trans behined the newer ones,or convert to a newer 64-up hydrmatic.
I got a question for you guys. I'm about to score a 71-72 455 olds whats the story as far as a smogger/perf. engine. I don't even know what it came out of. It's been sitting in back of the guys garage for about 10 years but ran when he got it in a project car. curious to know.
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